Bonnie Brae
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
EMPOWERING YOUTH AND FAMILIES TO ACHIEVE SMALL VICTORIES EVERY DAY THROUGH COMPREHENSIVE CARE AND EDUCATION. PLEASE REFER TO SCHEDULE O FOR A MORE DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSES AND ACTIVITIES.
- Income
- $40.3 million
- Spending
- $35.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 87%
- Reserves
- 20.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 93%
- Employees
- 398
- Volunteers
- 75
- Highest pay
- $343,540, medical director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 95% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 20.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 8% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1587% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 28 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2517 of 17 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $22.5 million spent. UNDER CONTRACT WITH THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, BONNIE BRAE PROVIDES RESIDENTIAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES TO AROUND 275 ADOLESCENT YOUTH. PLEASE REFER TO SCHEDULE O FOR THE ORGANIZATION'S COMMUNITY BENEFIT STATEMENT.
- $7.8 million spent. BONNIE BRAE PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL SERVICES THROUGH ITS NEW JERSEY STATE APPROVED SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES. PLEASE REFER TO SCHEDULE O FOR THE ORGANIZATION'S COMMUNITY BENEFIT STATEMENT.
- Empowering youth and families to achieve small victories every day through comprehensive care and education. For over 120 years Bonnie Brae has transformed the lives of more than 12,000 youth and families. Accredited by the Joint Commission, Bonnie Brae is one of the nation's preeminent therapeutic and learning environments for at-risk New Jersey youth, ages 12-21, who have experienced trauma and face significant mental health and behavioral challenges. Through comprehensive residential treatment, education, and clinical support, Bonnie Brae provides young people with the opportunity to discover, develop, and strengthen the skills needed to become responsible, independent adults. In 2021, Bonnie Brae expanded its services to include young women for the first time with the opening of a crisis stabilization program in Chester, New Jersey, marking an important step in broadening the organization's continuum of care. Bonnie Brae serves approximately 275 boys and girls each year from nearly every county in the state of New Jersey. Most are referred by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families and currently arrive after an average of 5.6 prior placements, including juvenile justice placements, shelters, and other residential programs. Many of the young people we serve have experienced significant trauma, abuse, neglect, family instability, and exposure to addiction or gang involvement. As a result, they often present complex emotional and behavioral health needs. At Bonnie Brae, youth begin to break these cycles by developing life skills, building healthy relationships, and preparing for independent living. Our experienced clinical team provides comprehensive individual, group, and family therapy within an integrated therapeutic, educational, and residential environment designed to help young people heal, grow, and move toward stable, productive futures. Of Bonnie Brae's entire population: approximately 45% are African American; 26% are Caucasian; 22% Latino; 5% are Biracial; 1% is Arabic; and 1% Native American. When Boys arrive at Bonnie Brae: 90% have experienced one or more school problems including multiple School suspensions, grade retention, truancy and/or expulsion; 78% are on psychotropic medications; 73% have a Special Education Classification; 69% have been abused, neglected or witnessed violence inside or outside the home; 47% experienced at least one Hospitalization prior to admission; 42% Court Ordered into treatment; Despite this, after an average of 10-14 months at Bonnie Brae, 100% of all eligible students graduate from our program. Bonnie Brae defines a successful discharge as a youth transitioning to a less restrictive setting, reflecting our goal to help interrupt the downward spiral many have experienced prior to admission. Among alumni surveyed who were discharged between July 2020 and December 2021: 83% graduated; 16% were enrolled in high school; 74% were working; 92% have had no contact with the Justice System; 93% were living in the community; Bonnie Brae's successful track record is based on a foundation of experienced professionals including Child-care Counselors; Clinicians; Nurses; Child Psychiatrists and Psychiatric Advanced Practice Nurses; Pediatricians; Substance Abuse Counselors; Teachers and a strong support staff and leadership team. Treatment is grounded in the development of positive relationships between youth who have experienced trauma and caring, knowledgeable staff. Our highly trained team uses a strength-based approach that fosters trust, improves communication and problem-solving skills, and builds on each young person's accomplishments. This philosophy starts at the leadership level and is extended throughout the agency. In addition to attending our fully accredited Approved Private School for Children with Disabilities or other educational institutions, residents are encouraged to give back to the community through meaningful service. Youth regularly volunteer with organizations such as Morris Habitat for Humanity and America's Grow-A-Row. A cornerstone of Bonnie Brae's effectiveness is our Continuum of Care, designed to help youth heal and grow gradually-from crisis to independence. Our continuum of services includes several levels of intensive residential treatment on our main campus; community-based residential treatment in Bound Brook, Bridgewater, and New Brunswick; aftercare services; and Intensive In-Community supports that provide in-home therapy for youth and families in crisis. Our experience has shown that if we are able to provide young people with consistent support, guidance, and positive relationships, for an extended period of time along with comprehensive treatment and education the greater their chances of becoming successful, productive adults.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 1953.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.